Pyridazine derivatives for inhibiting human stearoyl-CoA-desaturase

ABSTRACT

Methods of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, are disclosed, wherein the methods comprise administering to a mammal in need thereof a compound of formula (I) where x, y, G, J, K, L, M, Q, W, V, R2, R3, R5, R5a, R6, R6a, R7, R7a, R8 and R8a are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of inhibitors ofstearoyl-CoA desaturase, such as heterocyclic derivatives, and uses forsuch compounds in treating and/or preventing various human diseases,including those mediated by stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) enzymes,preferably SCD1, especially diseases related to elevated lipid levels,cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and thelike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Acyl desaturase enzymes catalyze the formation of double bonds in fattyacids derived from either dietary sources or de novo synthesis in theliver. Mammals synthesize at least three fatty acid desaturases ofdiffering chain length specificity that catalyze the addition of doublebonds at the delta-9, delta-6, and delta-5 positions. Stearoyl-CoAdesaturases (SCDs) introduce a double bond in the C9-C10 position ofsaturated fatty acids. The preferred substrates are palmitoyl-CoA (16:0)and stearoyl-CoA (18:0), which are converted to palmitoleoyl-CoA (16:1)and oleoyl-CoA (18:1), respectively. The resulting mono-unsaturatedfatty acids are substrates for incorporation into phospholipids,triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters.

A number of mammalian SCD genes have been cloned. For example, two geneshave been cloned from rat (SCD1, SCD2) and four SCD genes have beenisolated from mouse (SCD1, 2, 3, and 4). While the basic biochemicalrole of SCD has been known in rats and mice since the 1970's (Jeffcoat,R. et al., Elsevier Science (1984), Vol. 4, pp. 85-112; deAntueno, R J,Lipids (1993), Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 285-290), it has only recently beendirectly implicated in human disease processes.

A single SCD gene, SCD1, has been characterized in humans. SCD1 isdescribed in Brownlie et al, PCT published patent application, WO01/62954, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. A second human SCD isoform has recently been identified,and because it bears little sequence homology to alternate mouse or ratisoforms it has been named human SCD5 or hSCD5 (PCT published patentapplication, WO 02/26944, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety).

To date, no small-molecule, drug-like compounds are known thatspecifically inhibit or modulate SCD activity. Certain long-chainhydrocarbons have been used historically to study SCD activity. Knownexamples include thia-fatty acids, cyclopropenoid fatty acids, andcertain conjugated linoleic acid isomers. Specifically, cis-12, trans-10conjugated linoleic acid is believed to inhibit SCD enzyme activity andreduce the abundance of SCD1 mRNA while cis-9, trans-11 conjugatedlinoleic acid does not. Cyclopropenoid fatty acids, such as those foundin stercula and cotton seeds, are also known to inhibit SCD activity.For example, sterculic acid (8-(2-octylcyclopropenyl)octanoic acid) andmalvalic acid (7-(2-octylcyclopropenyl)heptanoic acid) are C18 and C16derivatives of sterculoyl and malvaloyl fatty acids, respectively,having cyclopropene rings at their C9-C10 position. These agents arebelieved to inhibit SCD enzymatic activity by direct interaction withthe enzyme, thus inhibiting delta-9 desaturation. Other agents that mayinhibit SCD activity include thia-fatty acids, such as 9-thiastearicacid (also called 8-nonylthiooctanoic acid) and other fatty acids with asulfoxy moiety.

These known modulators of delta-9 desaturase activity are not useful fortreating the diseases and disorders linked to SCD1 biological activity.None of the known SCD inhibitor compounds are selective for SCD ordelta-9 desaturases, as they also inhibit other desaturases and enzymes.The thia-fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids and cyclopropene fattyacids (malvalic acid and sterculic acid) are neither useful atreasonable physiological doses, nor are they specific inhibitors of SCD1biological activity, rather they demonstrate cross inhibition of otherdesaturases, in particular the delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases by thecyclopropene fatty acids.

The absence of small molecule inhibitors of SCD enzyme activity is amajor scientific and medical disappointment because evidence is nowcompelling that SCD activity is directly implicated in common humandisease processes: See e.g., Attie, A. D. et al., “Relationship betweenstearoyl-CoA desaturase activity and plasma triglycerides in human andmouse hypertriglyceridemia”, J. Lipid Res. (2002), Vol. 43, No. 11, pp.1899-907; Cohen, P. et al., “Role for stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 inleptin-mediated weight loss”, Science (2002), Vol. 297, No. 5579, pp.240-3, Ntambi, J. M. et al., “Loss of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 functionprotects mice against adiposity”, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (2002),Vol. 99, No. 7, pp. 11482-6.

The present invention solves this problem by presenting new classes ofcompounds that are useful in modulating SCD activity and regulatinglipid levels, especially plasma lipid levels, and which are useful inthe treatment of SCD-mediated diseases such as diseases related todyslipidemia and disorders of lipid metabolism, especially diseasesrelated to elevated lipid levels, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,obesity, metabolic syndrome and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides heterocyclic derivatives that modulatethe activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. Methods of using suchderivatives to modulate the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase andpharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are alsoencompassed.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides compounds of formula(I):

-   -   wherein:    -   x and y are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3;    -   G is —N(R⁴)—, —O—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(R⁴)═ or        —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—;    -   J and K are each independently N or C(R¹⁰);    -   L and M are each independently —N═ or —C(R⁴)═, provided that        when G is —C(R⁴)═ or —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—, L and M can not both be        —C(R⁴)═;    -   Q is —N(R⁴)—, —O—, —S(O)_(t) (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(O)—,        —C(S)—, an alkylene chain or an alkenylene chain;    -   V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—,        —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2) or        —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or 2);    -   W is a direct bond, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—,        —N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, —O—, —N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or        2), —N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2), —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (where        p is 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—,        —N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—;    -   each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of        hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl        and C₇-C₁₉aralkyl;    -   R² is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl,        C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl,        C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl,        aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,        C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and        C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl;    -   or R² is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the        rings are independently selected from the group consisting of        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or        all of the rings may be fused to each other;    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,        C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,        C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,        C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and        C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl;    -   or R³ is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the        rings are independently selected from the group consisting of        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or        all of the rings may be fused to each other;    -   each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro,        C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or —N(R⁹)₂;    -   or two adjacent R⁴ groups, together with the carbons to which        they are attached, may form an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl        ring system;    -   R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are each        independently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl;    -   or R⁵ and R^(5a) together, R⁶ and R^(6a) together, or R⁷ and        R^(7a) together, or R⁸ and R^(8a) together are an oxo group,        provided that when V is —C(O)—, R⁶ and R^(6a) together or R³ and        R^(8a) together do not form an oxo group, while the remaining        R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are each        independently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl;    -   or one of R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶ and R^(6a) together with one of R⁷,        R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) forms a direct bond or an alkylene bridge,        while the remaining R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸, and        R^(8a) are each independently selected from hydrogen or        C₁-C₃alkyl;    -   each R⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl;        and    -   R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro,        C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy;    -   as a stereoisomer, enantiomer or tautomer thereof, as a mixture        of stereoisomers, as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,        or as a prodrug thereof.

The scope of the invention as it relates to the compounds orcompositions of formula (I) is not intended to encompass knowncompounds, including compounds specifically disclosed in the followingpatents and patent applications.

Publication Jurisdiction Number Kind US 2004097492 A1 US 2004087577 A1US 2004162285 A1 WO 2004041818 A1 WO 2004022559 A1 WO 2003092678 A1 WO2003076430 A1 WO 2003076422 A1 WO 2003076400 A1 US 2003166932 A1 WO2003016306 A1 WO 2001070668 A1 WO 2001064646 A1 WO 2001022938 A1 WO2000071536 A1 US 6127382 A WO 2001012606 A1 WO 9633251 A1 US 5702637 AJP 06073022 A2 WO 9318016 A1 WO 9313078 A1

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of treating anSCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human,wherein the methods comprise administering to the mammal in need thereofa therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention as setforth above.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds or pharmaceuticalcompositions useful in treating, preventing and/or diagnosing a diseaseor condition relating to SCD biological activity such as the diseasesencompassed by cardiovascular disorders and/or metabolic syndrome(including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and obesity).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of preventing ortreating a disease or condition related to elevated lipid levels, suchas plasma lipid levels, especially elevated triglyceride or cholesterollevels, in a patient afflicted with such elevated levels, comprisingadministering to said patient a therapeutically or prophylacticallyeffective amount of a composition as disclosed herein. The presentinvention also relates to novel compounds having therapeutic ability toreduce lipid levels in an animal, especially triglyceride andcholesterol levels.

In another aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising the compounds of the invention as set forth above, andpharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In one embodiment, the presentinvention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compoundof the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and in anamount effective to modulate triglyceride level, or to treat diseasesrelated to dyslipidemia and disorders of lipid metabolism, whenadministered to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a humanpatient. In an embodiment of such composition, the patient has anelevated lipid level, such as elevated plasma triglycerides orcholesterol, before administration of said compound and said compound ispresent in an amount effective to reduce said lipid level.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating a patientfor, or protecting a patient from developing, a disease or conditionmediated by stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), which methods compriseadministering to a patient afflicted with such disease or condition, orat risk of developing such disease or condition, a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound that inhibits activity of SCD in apatient when administered thereto.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating a rangeof diseases involving lipid metabolism utilizing compounds identified bythe methods disclosed herein. In accordance therewith, there isdisclosed herein a range of compounds having said activity, based on ascreening assay for identifying, from a library of test compounds, atherapeutic agent which modulates the biological activity of said SCDand is useful in treating a human disorder or condition relating toserum levels of lipids, such as triglycerides, VLDL, HDL, LDL, and/ortotal cholesterol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Certain chemical groups named herein are preceded by a shorthandnotation indicating the total number of carbon atoms that are to befound in the indicated chemical group. For example; C₇-C₁₂alkyldescribes an alkyl group, as defined below, having a total of 7 to 12carbon atoms, and C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl describes a cycloalkylalkylgroup, as defined below, having a total of 4 to 12 carbon atoms. Thetotal number of carbons in the shorthand notation does not includecarbons that may exist in substituents of the group described.

Accordingly, as used in the specification and appended claims, unlessspecified to the contrary, the following terms have the meaningindicated:

“Methoxy” refers to the —OCH₃ radical.

“Cyano” refers to the —CN radical.

“Nitro” refers to the —NO₂ radical.

“Trifluoromethyl” refers to the —CF₃ radical.

“Oxo” refers to the ═O substituent.

“Thioxo” refers to the ═S substituent.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radicalconsisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing nounsaturation, having from one to twelve carbon atoms, preferably one toeight carbon atoms or one to six carbon atoms, and which is attached tothe rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g., methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl,1,1-dimethylethyl (t-butyl), and the like. Unless stated otherwisespecifically in the specification, an alkyl group may be optionallysubstituted by one of the following groups: alkyl, alkenyl, halo,haloalkenyl, cyano, nitro, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,—OR⁴, —OC(O)—R¹⁴, —N(R¹⁴)₂, —C(O)R¹⁴, —C(O)OR¹⁴, —C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂,—N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to2), —S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where t is 1 to 2), —S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to 2),and —S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where each R¹⁴ is independentlyhydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl(optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halo orhaloalkyl), aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl orheteroarylalkyl; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of the above substituentsis unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“C₁-C₃alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containing oneto three carbon atoms. The C₁-C₃alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₁-C₆alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containing oneto six carbon atoms. The C₁-C₆alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₁-C₁₂alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containing oneto twelve carbon atoms. The C₁-C₁₂alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₂-C₆alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containing twoto six carbon atoms. The C₂-C₆alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₃-C₆alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containingthree to six carbon atoms. The C₃-C₆alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containingthree to twelve carbon atoms. The C₃-C₁₂alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₆-C₁₂alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containing sixto twelve carbon atoms. The C₆-C₁₂alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“C₇-C₁₂alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical as defined above containingseven to twelve carbon atoms. The C₇-C₁₂alkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkyl group.

“Alkenyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radicalgroup consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing atleast one double bond, having from two to twelve carbon atoms,preferably one to eight carbon atoms and which is attached to the restof the molecule by a single bond, e.g., ethenyl, prop-1-enyl,but-1-enyl, pent-1-enyl, penta-1,4-dienyl, and the like. Unless statedotherwise specifically in the specification, an alkenyl group may beoptionally substituted by one of the following groups: alkyl, alkenyl,halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, cyano, nitro, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl,heteroarylalkyl, —OR⁴, —OC(O)—R⁴, —N(R⁴)₂, —C(O)R¹⁴, —C(O)OR¹⁴,—C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂, —N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶)(where t is 1 to 2), —S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where t is 1 to 2), —S(O)_(t)R¹⁶(where t is 0 to 2), and —S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where eachR¹⁴ is independently hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl, haloalkyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of theabove substituents is unsubstituted.

“C₃-C₁₂alkenyl” refers to an alkenyl radical as defined above containingthree to 12 carbon atoms. The C₃-C₁₂alkenyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined for an alkenyl group.

“C₂-C₁₂alkenyl” refers to an alkenyl radical as defined above containingtwo to 12 carbon atoms. The C₂-C₁₂alkenyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for an alkenyl group.

“Alkylene” and “alkylene chain” refer to a straight or branched divalenthydrocarbon chain, linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group,consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing no unsaturation andhaving from one to twelve carbon atoms, preferably having from one toeight carbons, e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, and thelike. The alkylene chain may be attached to the rest of the molecule andto the radical group through one carbon within the chain or through anytwo carbons within the chain. The alkylene chain may be optionallysubstituted by one of the following groups: alkyl, alkenyl, halo,haloalkenyl, cyano, nitro, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl,—OR⁴, —OC(O)—R¹⁴, —N(R⁴)₂, —C(O)R⁴, —C(O)OR¹⁴, —C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂,—N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to2), —S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where t is 1 to 2), —S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to 2),and —S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where each R¹⁴ is independentlyhydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl(optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halo orhaloalkyl), aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl orheteroarylalkyl; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of the above substituentsis unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“Alkenylene” and “alkenylene chain” refer to a straight or brancheddivalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radicalgroup, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing at least onedouble bond and having from two to twelve carbon atoms, e.g.,ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkenylenechain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond andto the radical group through a double bond or a single bond. The pointsof attachment of the alkenylene chain to the rest of the molecule and tothe radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons withinthe chain. The alkenylene chain may be optionally substituted by one ofthe following groups: alkyl, alkenyl, halo, haloalkenyl, cyano, nitro,aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, —OR¹⁴, —OC(O)—R¹⁴, —N(R¹⁴)₂,—C(O)R¹⁴, —C(O)OR¹⁴, —C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂, —N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶,—N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to 2), —S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where t is 1 to2), —S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to 2), and —S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1to 2) where each R¹⁴ is independently hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl (optionally substituted with one ormore groups selected from halo or haloalkyl), aralkyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl,haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of theabove substituents is unsubstituted unless otherwise indicated.

“Alkylene bridge” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbonbridge, linking two different carbons of the same ring structure,consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing no unsaturation andhaving from one to twelve carbon atoms, preferably having from one toeight carbons, e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, and thelike. The alkylene bridge may link any two carbons within the ringstructure.

“Alkoxy” refers to a radical of the formula —OR_(a) where R_(a) is analkyl radical as defined above. The alkyl part of the alkoxy radical maybe optionally substituted as defined above for an alkyl radical.

“C₁-C₆alkoxy” refers to an alkoxy radical as defined above containingone to six carbon atoms. The alkyl part of the C₁-C₆alkoxy radical maybe optionally substituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“C₁-C₁₂alkoxy” refers to an alkoxy radical as defined above containingone to twelve carbon atoms. The alkyl part of the C₁-C₁₂alkoxy radicalmay be optionally substituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂alkoxy” refers to an alkoxy radical as defined above containingthree to twelve carbon atoms. The alkyl part of the C₃-C₁₂alkoxy radicalmay be optionally substituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“Alkoxyalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(a)—O—R_(a) whereeach R_(a) is independently an alkyl radical as defined above. Theoxygen atom may be bonded to any carbon in either alkyl radical. Eachalkyl part of the alkoxyalkyl radical may be optionally substituted asdefined above for an alkyl group.

“C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkoxyalkyl radical as defined abovecontaining two to twelve carbon atoms. Each alkyl part of theC₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as defined abovefor an alkyl group.

“C₃alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkoxyalkyl radical as defined abovecontaining three carbon atoms. Each alkyl part of the C₃alkoxyalkylradical may be optionally substituted as defined above for an alkylgroup.

“C₃-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkoxyalkyl radical as defined abovecontaining three to twelve carbon atoms. Each alkyl part of theC₃-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as defined abovefor an alkyl group.

“Alkylsulfonyl” refers to a radical of the formula —S(O)₂R_(a) whereR_(a) is an alkyl group as defined above. The alkyl part of thealkylsulfonyl radical may be optionally substituted as defined above foran alkyl group.

“C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl” refers to an alkylsulfonyl radical as defined abovehaving one to six carbon atoms. The C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl group may beoptionally substituted as defined above for an alkylsulfonyl group.

“Aryl” refers to aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic hydrocarbon ringsystem consisting only of hydrogen and carbon and containing from 6 to19 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 10 carbon atoms, where the ring systemmay be partially or fully saturated. Aryl groups include, but are notlimited to groups such as fluorenyl, phenyl and naphthyl. Unless statedotherwise specifically in the specification, the term “aryl” or theprefix “ar-” (such as in “aralkyl”) is meant to include aryl radicalsoptionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from thegroup consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, cyano,nitro, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R¹⁵—OR¹⁴,—R¹⁵—OC(O)—R¹⁴, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)₂, R¹⁵—C(O)R¹⁴, R¹⁵—C(O)OR¹⁴,—R¹⁵—C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶,—R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where tis 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to 2), and—R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where each R¹⁴ is independentlyhydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; each R¹⁵is independently a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene oralkenylene chain; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of the above substituentsis unsubstituted.

“Aralkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(a)R_(b) where R_(a) isan alkyl radical as defined above and R_(b) is one or more aryl radicalsas defined above, e.g., benzyl, diphenylmethyl and the like. The arylpart of the aralkyl radical may be optionally substituted as describedabove for an aryl group. The alkyl part of the aralkyl radical may beoptionally substituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“C₇-C₁₂aralkyl” refers to an aralkyl group as defined above containingseven to twelve carbon atoms. The aryl part of the C₇-C₁₂aralkyl radicalmay be optionally substituted as described above for an aryl group. Thealkyl part of the C₇-C₁₂aralkyl radical may be optionally substituted asdefined above for an alkyl group.

“C₇-C₁₉aralkyl” refers to an aralkyl group as defined above containingseven to nineteen carbon atoms. The aryl part of the C₇-C₁₉aralkylradical may be optionally substituted as described above for an arylgroup. The alkyl part of the C₇-C₁₉aralkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“C₁₃-C₁₉aralkyl” refers to an aralkyl group as defined above containingthirteen to nineteen carbon atoms. The aryl part of the C₁₃-C₁₉aralkylradical may be optionally substituted as described above for an arylgroup. The alkyl part of the C₁₃-C₁₉aralkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“Aralkenyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(c)R_(b) where R_(c)is an alkenyl radical as defined above and R_(b) is one or more arylradicals as defined above, which may be optionally substituted asdescribed above. The aryl part of the aralkenyl radical may beoptionally substituted as described above for an aryl group. The alkenylpart of the aralkenyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkenyl group.

“Aryloxy” refers to a radical of the formula —OR_(b) where R_(b) is anaryl group as defined above. The aryl part of the aryloxy radical may beoptionally substituted as defined above.

“Aryl-C₁-C₆alkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(h)—R_(i) whereR_(h) is an unbranched alkyl radical having one to six carbons and R_(i)is an aryl group attached to the terminal carbon of the alkyl radical.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to a stable non-aromatic monocyclic or bicyclichydrocarbon radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms,having from three to fifteen carbon atoms, preferably having from threeto twelve carbon atoms, and which is saturated or unsaturated andattached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g.,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, decalinyl and thelike. Unless otherwise stated specifically in the specification, theterm “cycloalkyl” is meant to include cycloalkyl radicals which areoptionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from thegroup consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, cyano,nitro, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R¹⁵—R¹⁴,—R¹⁵—OC(O)—R¹⁴, —R¹—N(R¹⁴)₂, —R¹—C(O)R¹⁴, —R¹⁵—C(O)OR¹⁴,—R¹⁵—C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶,—R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where tis 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to 2), and—R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where each R¹⁴ is independentlyhydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; each R¹⁵is independently a direct bond or a straight or branched alkylene oralkenylene chain; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of the above substituentsis unsubstituted.

“C₃-C₆cycloalkyl” refers to a cycloalkyl radical as defined above havingthree to six carbon atoms. The C₃-C₆cycloalkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for a cycloalkyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl” refers to a cycloalkyl radical as defined abovehaving three to twelve carbon atoms. The C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl radical may beoptionally substituted as defined above for a cycloalkyl group.

“Cycloalkylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(a)R_(d) whereR_(a) is an alkyl radical as defined above and R_(d) is a cycloalkylradical as defined above. The cycloalkyl part of the cycloalkyl radicalmay be optionally substituted as defined above for an cycloalkylradical. The alkyl part of the cycloalkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for an alkyl radical.

“C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl” refers to a cycloalkylalkyl radical as definedabove having four to twelve carbon atoms. The C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkylradical may be optionally substituted as defined above for acycloalkylalkyl group.

“Halo” refers to bromo, chloro, fluoro or iodo.

“Haloalkyl” refers to an alkyl radical, as defined above, that issubstituted by one or more halo radicals, as defined above, e.g.,trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl,1-fluoromethyl-2-fluoroethyl, 3-bromo-2-fluoropropyl,1-bromomethyl-2-bromoethyl, and the like. The alkyl part of thehaloalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as defined above for analkyl group.

“Haloalkenyl” refers to an alkenyl radical, as defined above, that issubstituted by one or more halo radicals, as defined above, e.g.,2-bromoethenyl, 3-bromoprop-1-enyl, and the like. The alkenyl part ofthe haloalkenyl radical may be optionally substituted as defined abovefor an alkyl group.

“Heterocyclyl” refers to a stable 3- to 18-membered non-aromatic ringradical which consists of carbon atoms and from one to five heteroatomsselected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Forpurposes of this invention, the heterocyclyl radical may be amonocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which mayinclude fused or bridged ring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon orsulfur atoms in the heterocyclyl radical may be optionally oxidized; thenitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized; and the heterocyclylradical may be partially or fully saturated. Examples of suchheterocyclyl radicals include, but are not limited to, dioxolanyl,decahydroisoquinolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl,isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydroisoindolyl,2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl,thiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, trithianyl, tetrahydropyranyl,thiomorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, and1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in thespecification, the term “heterocyclyl” is meant to include heterocyclylradicals as defined above which are optionally substituted by one ormore substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl,halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, cyano, oxo, thioxo, nitro, aryl, aralkyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, —R¹⁵—OR¹⁴, —R¹⁵—OC(O)—R¹⁴, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)₂,—R¹⁵—C(O)R¹⁴, —R¹⁵—C(O)OR¹⁴, —R¹⁵—C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶,—R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to 2),—R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where t is 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to2), and —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where each R¹⁴ isindependently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl; each R¹⁵ is independently a direct bondor a straight or branched alkylene or alkenylene chain; and each R¹⁶ isalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, andwhere each of the above substituents is unsubstituted.

“C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl” refers to a heterocyclyl radical as defined abovehaving three to twelve carbons. The C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for a heterocyclyl group.

“Heterocyclylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(a)R_(e) whereR_(a) is an alkyl radical as defined above and R_(e) is a heterocyclylradical as defined above, and if the heterocyclyl is anitrogen-containing heterocyclyl, the heterocyclyl may be attached tothe alkyl radical at the nitrogen atom. The alkyl part of theheterocyclylalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as defined abovefor an alkyl group. The heterocyclyl part of the heterocyclylalkylradical may be optionally substituted as defined above for aheterocyclyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl” refers to a heterocyclylalkyl radical asdefined above having three to twelve carbons. TheC₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for a heterocyclylalkyl group.

“Heteroaryl” refers to a 5- to 18-membered aromatic ring radical whichconsists of carbon atoms and from one to five heteroatoms selected fromthe group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. For purposes ofthis invention, the heteroaryl radical may be a monocyclic, bicyclic,tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridgedring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atoms in the heteroarylradical may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionallyquaternized. Examples include, but are not limited to, azepinyl,acridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzindolyl,benzothiadiazolyl, benzonaphthofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxolyl,benzodioxinyl, benzopyranyl, benzopyranonyl, benzofuranyl,benzofuranonyl, benzothienyl (benzothiophenyl), benzotriazolyl,benzo[4,6]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, carbazolyl, cinnolinyl,dibenzofuranyl, furanyl, furanonyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl,indazolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, indolizinyl, isoxazolyl,naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, oxazolyl, oxiranyl,phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl,purinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl,pyridazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl, quinuclidinyl,isoquinolinyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl,triazinyl, and thiophenyl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in thespecification, the term “heteroaryl” is meant to include heteroarylradicals as defined above which are optionally substituted by one ormore substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl,halo, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, cyano, oxo, thioxo, nitro, aryl, aralkyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl,—R¹⁵—OR¹⁴—R¹⁵—OC(O)—R¹⁴—R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)₂—R¹⁵—C(O)R¹⁴,—R¹⁵—C(O)R¹⁴—R¹⁵—C(O)N(R¹⁴)₂, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)OR¹⁶, —R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)C(O)R¹⁶,—R¹⁵—N(R¹⁴)(S(O)_(t)R¹⁶) (where t is 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)OR¹⁶ (where tis 1 to 2), —R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)R¹⁶ (where t is 0 to 2), and—R¹⁵—S(O)_(t)N(R¹⁴)₂ (where t is 1 to 2) where each R¹⁴ is independentlyhydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl;each R¹⁵ is independently a direct bond or a straight or branchedalkylene or alkenylene chain; and each R¹⁶ is alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl,cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, and where each of theabove substituents is unsubstituted.

“C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl radical as defined abovehaving one to twelve carbon atoms. The C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl group may beoptionally substituted as defined above for a heteroaryl group.

“C₅-C₁₂heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl radical as defined abovehaving five to twelve carbon atoms. The C₅-C₁₂heteroaryl group may beoptionally substituted as defined above for a heteroaryl group.

“Heteroarylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(a)R_(f) whereR_(a) is an alkyl radical as defined above and R_(f) is a heteroarylradical as defined above. The heteroaryl part of the heteroarylalkylradical may be optionally substituted as defined above for a heteroarylgroup. The alkyl part of the heteroarylalkyl radical may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl” refers to a heteroarylalkyl radical as definedabove having three to twelve carbon atoms. The C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkylgroup may be optionally substituted as defined above for aheteroarylalkyl group.

“Heteroarylcycloalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(d)R_(f)where R_(d) is a cycloalkyl radical as defined above and R_(f) is aheteroaryl radical as defined above. The cycloalkyl part of theheteroarylcycloalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for a cycloalkyl group. The heteroaryl part of theheteroarylcycloalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for a heteroaryl group.

“Heteroarylalkenyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(b)R_(f) whereR_(b) is an alkenyl radical as defined above and R_(f) is a heteroarylradical as defined above. The heteroaryl part of the heteroarylalkenylradical may be optionally substituted as defined above for a heteroarylgroup. The alkenyl part of the heteroarylalkenyl radical may beoptionally substituted as defined above for an alkenyl group.

“Hydroxyalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(a)—OH where R_(a)is an alkyl radical as defined above. The hydroxy group may be attachedto the alkyl radical on any carbon within the alkyl radical. The alkylpart of the hydroxyalkyl group may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkyl group.

“C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl” refers to a hydroxyalkyl radical as defined abovecontaining two to twelve carbon atoms. The alkyl part of theC₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl” refers to a hydroxyalkyl radical as defined abovecontaining three to twelve carbon atoms. The alkyl part of theC₃-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkyl group.

“C₇-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl” refers to a hydroxyalkyl radical as defined abovecontaining seven to twelve carbon atoms. The alkyl part of theC₇-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkyl group.

“Hydroxyalkenyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(c), —OH whereR_(c) is an alkenyl radical as defined above. The hydroxy group may beattached to the alkenyl radical on any carbon within the alkenylradical. The alkenyl part of the hydroxyalkenyl group may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for an alkenyl group.

“C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl” refers to a hydroxyalkenyl radical as definedabove containing two to twelve carbon atoms. The alkenyl part of theC₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkenyl group.

“C₃-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl” refers to a hydroxyalkenyl radical as definedabove containing three to twelve carbon atoms. The alkenyl part of theC₃-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl radical may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an alkenyl group.

“Hydroxyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(h)—OHwhere R_(h) is an unbranched alkyl radical having one to six carbons andthe hydroxy radical is attached to the terminal carbon.

“Trihaloalkyl” refers to an alkyl radical, as defined above, that issubstituted by three halo radicals, as defined above, e.g.,trifluoromethyl. The alkyl part of the trihaloalkyl radical may beoptionally substituted as defined above for an alkyl group.

“C₁-C₆trihaloalkyl” refers to a trihaloalkyl radical as defined abovehaving one to six carbon atoms. The C₁-C₆trihaloalkyl may be optionallysubstituted as defined above for a trihaloalkyl group.

“Trihaloalkoxy” refers to a radical of the formula —OR_(g) where R_(g)is a trihaloalkyl group as defined above. The trihaloalkyl part of thetrihaloalkoxy group may be optionally substituted as defined above for atrihaloalkyl group.

“C₁-C₆trihaloalkoxy” refers to a trihaloalkoxy radical as defined abovehaving one to six carbon atoms. The C₁-C₆trihaloalkoxy group may beoptionally substituted as defined above for a trihaloalkoxy group.

“A multi-ring structure” refers to a multicyclic ring system comprisedof two to four rings wherein the rings are independently selected fromcycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl as defined above. Eachcycloalkyl may be optionally substituted as defined above for acycloalkyl group. Each aryl may be optionally substituted as definedabove for an aryl group. Each heterocyclyl may be optionally substitutedas defined above for a heterocyclyl group. Each heteroaryl may beoptionally substituted as defined above for a heteroaryl group. Therings may be attached to other through direct bonds or some or all ofthe rings may be fused to each other. Examples include, but are notlimited to a cycloalkyl radical substituted by aryl group; a cycloalkylgroup substituted by an aryl group, which, in turn, is substituted byanother aryl group; and so forth.

“Prodrugs” is meant to indicate a compound that may be converted underphysiological conditions or by solvolysis to a biologically activecompound of the invention. Thus, the term “prodrug” refers to ametabolic precursor of a compound of the invention that ispharmaceutically acceptable. A prodrug may be inactive when administeredto a subject in need thereof, but is converted in vivo to an activecompound of the invention. Prodrugs are typically rapidly transformed invivo to yield the parent compound of the invention, for example, byhydrolysis in blood. The prodrug compound often offers advantages ofsolubility, tissue compatibility or delayed release in a mammalianorganism (see, Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs (1985), pp. 7-9, 21-24(Elsevier, Amsterdam).

A discussion of prodrugs is provided in Higuchi, T., et al., “Pro-drugsas Novel Delivery Systems,” A.C.S. Symposium Series, Vol. 14, and inBioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, ed. Edward B. Roche, AmericanPharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which areincorporated in full by reference herein.

The term “prodrug” is also meant to include any covalently bondedcarriers which release the active compound of the invention in vivo whensuch prodrug is administered to a mammalian subject. Prodrugs of acompound of the invention may be prepared by modifying functional groupspresent in the compound of the invention in such a way that themodifications are cleaved, either in routine manipulation or in vivo,two the parent compound of the invention. Prodrugs include compounds ofthe invention wherein a hydroxy, amino or mercapto group is bonded toany group that, when the prodrug of the compound of the invention isadministered to a mammalian subject, cleaves to form a free hydroxy,free amino or free mercapto group, respectively. Examples of prodrugsinclude, but are not limited to, acetate, formate and benzoatederivatives of alcohol or amine functional groups in the compounds ofthe invention and the like.

“Stable compound” and “stable structure” are meant to indicate acompound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a usefuldegree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into anefficacious therapeutic agent.

“Mammal” includes humans and domestic animals, such as cats, dogs,swine, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, and the like.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventof circumstances may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in whichit does not. For example, “optionally substituted aryl” means that thearyl radical may or may not be substituted and that the descriptionincludes both substituted aryl radicals and aryl radicals having nosubstitution.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient” includeswithout limitation any adjuvant, carrier, excipient, glidant, sweeteningagent, diluent, preservative, dye/colorant, flavor enhancer, surfactant,wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, stabilizer, isotonicagent, solvent, or emulsifier which has been approved by the UnitedStates Food and Drug Administration as being acceptable for use inhumans or domestic animals.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes both acid and base additionsalts.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt” refers to those saltswhich retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the freebases, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, and whichare formed with inorganic acids such as, but not limited to,hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid,phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids such as, but not limitedto, acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid,ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid,4-acetamidobenzoic acid, camphoric acid, camphor-10-sulfonic acid,capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, carbonic acid, cinnamic acid,citric acid, cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonicacid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, formic acid,fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid,gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid,2-oxo-glutaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycolic acid, hippuricacid, isobutyric acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, lauric acid,maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonicacid, mucic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid,naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid,oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid,propionic acid, pyroglutamic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid,4-aminosalicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid,tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroaceticacid, undecylenic acid, and the like.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salt” refers to those saltswhich retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the freeacids, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. These saltsare prepared from addition of an inorganic base or an organic base tothe free acid. Salts derived from inorganic bases include, but are notlimited to, the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium,magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like.Preferred inorganic salts are the ammonium, sodium, potassium, calcium,and magnesium salts. Salts derived from organic bases include, but arenot limited to, salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines,substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines,cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as ammonia,isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine,tripropylamine, diethanolamine, ethanolamine, deanol,2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, dicyclohexylamine,lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline,betaine, benethamine, benzathine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine,methylglucamine, theobromine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, purines,piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and thelike. Particularly preferred organic bases are isopropylamine,diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, cholineand caffeine.

Often crystallizations produce a solvate of the compound of theinvention. As used herein, the term “solvate” refers to an aggregatethat comprises one or more molecules of a compound of the invention withone or more molecules of solvent. The solvent may be water, in whichcase the solvate may be a hydrate. Alternatively, the solvent may be anorganic solvent. Thus, the compounds of the present invention may existas a hydrate, including a monohydrate, dihydrate, hemihydrate,sesquihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate and the like, as well as thecorresponding solvated forms. The compound of the invention may be truesolvates, while in other cases, the compound of the invention may merelyretain adventitious water or be a mixture of water plus someadventitious solvent.

A “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a formulation of a compound ofthe invention and a medium generally accepted in the art for thedelivery of the biologically active compound to mammals, e.g., humans.Such a medium includes all pharmaceutically acceptable carriers,diluents or excipients therefor.

“Therapeutically effective amount” refers to that amount of a compoundof the invention which, when administered to a mammal, preferably ahuman, is sufficient to effect treatment, as defined below, of anSCD-mediated disease or condition in the mammal, preferably a human. Theamount of a compound of the invention which constitutes a“therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound,the condition and its severity, and the age of the mammal to be treated,but can be determined routinely by one of ordinary skill in the arthaving regard to his own knowledge and to this disclosure.

“Treating” or “treatment” as used herein covers the treatment of thedisease or condition of interest in a mammal, preferably a human, havingthe disease or disorder of interest, and includes:

(i) preventing the disease or condition from occurring in a mammal, inparticular, when such mammal is predisposed to the condition but has notyet been diagnosed as having it;

(ii) inhibiting the disease or condition, i.e., arresting itsdevelopment; or

(iii) relieving the disease or condition, i.e., causing regression ofthe disease or condition.

As used herein, the terms “disease” and “condition” may be usedinterchangeably or may be different in that the particular malady orcondition may not have a known causative agent (so that etiology has notyet been worked out) and it is therefore not yet recognized as a diseasebut only as an undesirable condition or syndrome, wherein a more or lessspecific set of symptoms have been identified by clinicians.

The compounds of the invention, or their pharmaceutically acceptablesalts may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give riseto enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that maybe defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)- or, as(D)- or (L)- for amino acids. The present invention is meant to includeall such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pureforms. Optically active (+) and (−), (R)- and (S)-, or (D)- and(L)-isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, orresolved using conventional techniques, such as HPLC using a chiralcolumn. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic doublebonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specifiedotherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Zgeometric isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended tobe included.

A “stereoisomer” refers to a compound made up of the same atoms bondedby the same bonds but having different three-dimensional structures,which are not interchangeable. The present invention contemplatesvarious stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and includes “enantiomers”,which refers to two stereoisomers whose molecules are nonsuperimposablemirror images of one another.

A “tautomer” refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule toanother atom of the same molecule. The present invention includestautomers of any said compounds.

The chemical naming protocol and structure diagrams used herein employand rely the chemical naming features as utilized by Chemdraw version7.0.1 (available from Cambridgesoft Corp., Cambridge, Mass.). Forcomplex chemical names employed herein, a substituent group is namedbefore the group to which it attaches. For example, cyclopropylethylcomprises an ethyl backbone with cyclopropyl substituent. In chemicalstructure diagrams, all bonds are identified, except for some carbonatoms which are assumed to be bonded to sufficient hydrogen atoms tocomplete the valency.

For example, a compound of formula (I) wherein x and y are each 0; Q is—N(H)—; J is C(H); K is N; G is —C(H)═C(H)—; L and M are both —N═; V is—C(O)—; W is —N(H)C(O)—; R² is 2-cyclopropylethyl; R³ is2-trifluoromethylphenyl; and R⁶, R^(6a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are eachhydrogen, i.e., a compound of the following formula:

is named herein as6-[1-(2-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)azetidin-3-ylamino]pyridazine-3-carboxylicacid (2-cyclopropylethyl)amide.

Certain radical groups of the compounds of the invention are depictedherein as linkages between two parts of the compounds of the invention.For example, in the following formula (I):

W is described, for example, as being —N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, or—N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—; and V is described as —C(O)— or —C(S)—. Thisdescription is meant to describe a W group attached to the R² group asfollows: R²—N(R¹)C(O)—, R²—C(O)N(R¹)—, or R²—N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, and meantto describe a V group attached to the R³ group as follows: —C(O)—R³, or—C(S)—R³. In other words, the description of the W and V linkage groupsare meant to be read from left to right in view of formula (I) asdepicted above.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Of the compounds of formula (I) as set forth above in the Summary of theInvention, one embodiment is the compounds of formula (I) wherein Q is—N(H)—, J is C(R¹⁰) and K is N, i.e., a compound having the followingformula (Ia):

Of this group of compounds, a subgroup of compounds are those compoundswherein x and y are each independently 0 or 1; G is —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; L andM are each —N═; V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—, —C(O)—,—C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2) or—S(O)_(p)N(R₁)— (wherein p is 1 or 2); W is a direct bond, —N(R¹)C(O)—,—C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, —O—, —N(R¹)—, —S(O)— (wheret is 0, 1 or 2), —N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2), —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)—(where p is 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—,—N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—; each R₁ is independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl and C₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; R³is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl,C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl,C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; each R⁴ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy,haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or —N(R⁹)₂; R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a),R⁸ and R^(8a) are each independently selected from hydrogen orC₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen orC₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro,chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy.

Of this subgroup of compounds, a set of compounds are those compoundswhere V is a direct bond or —C(O)—.

Specific embodiments of this set of compounds include the following:

-   6-[1-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoyl)-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic    acid (2-cyclopropyl-ethyl)-amide;-   6-[1-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoyl)-azetidin-3-ylamino]-pyridazine-3-carboxylic    acid (2-cyclopropyl-ethyl)-amide; and-   6-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-ylamino)pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid    pentylamide.

Of the compounds of formula (I) set forth above in the Summary of theInvention, another embodiment is the compounds of formula (I) wherein: xand y are each independently 0 or 1; G is —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; J is C(R¹⁰) andK is N; L and M are each —N═; Q is —O—; V is a direct bond or —C(O)—; Wis —N(R¹)C(O)—; R¹ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl or C₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; R³is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl,C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl,C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; each R⁴ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy,haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or —N(R⁹)₂; R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a),R⁸ and R^(8a) are each independently selected from hydrogen orC₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen orC₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro,chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy.

Specific embodiments of this group of compounds includes the following:

-   6-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid    pentylamide.

Additional embodiments of the compounds of the invention include:

When G is —N(R⁴)— or —C(R⁴)═, L is —N(R⁴)— and M is —N(R⁴)— or —C(R⁴)—;and/or

when J is C(R¹⁰), Q is —N(R⁴)—, —O—, —S(O)_(t) (where t is 0, 1 or 2),—C(O)—, —C(S)—, an alkylene chain or an alkenylene chain; and/or

when J is N, Q is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, an alkylene chain or an alkenylenechain; and/or

when K is —C(R¹⁰)—, V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—, —S—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2)or —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or 2); and/or

when K is N, V is a direct bond, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—,—S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2) or —S(O)_(p)N(R₁)— (wherein p is 1 or 2).

In further additional embodiments,

V is O; and/or V is not SO₂ or a direct bond.

Preparation and use of specific embodiments of the of compounds offormula (I) are disclosed herein in the Preparations and Examples setforth below.

In one embodiment, the methods of the invention are directed towards thetreatment and/or prevention of diseases mediated by stearoyl-CoAdesaturase (SCD), especially human SCD (hSCD), preferably diseasesrelated to dyslipidemia and disorders of lipid metabolism, andespecially a disease related to elevated plasma lipid levels,cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and thelike by administering an effective amount of a compound of theinvention.

The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositioncontaining the compounds of the invention. In one embodiment, theinvention relates to a composition comprising compounds of the inventionin a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and in an amount effective tomodulate triglyceride level or to treat diseases related to dyslipidemiaand disorders of lipid metabolism, when administered to an animal,preferably a mammal, most preferably a human patient. In an embodimentof such composition, the patient has an elevated lipid level, such aselevated triglycerides or cholesterol, before administration of saidcompound of the invention and the compound of the invention is presentin an amount effective to reduce said lipid level.

Utility and Testing of the Compounds of the Invention

The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositionsand methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions forthe treatment and/or prevention of diseases mediated by stearoyl-CoAdesaturase (SCD), especially human SCD (hSCD), preferably diseasesrelated to dyslipidemia and disorders of lipid metabolism, andespecially a disease related to elevated plasma lipid levels, especiallycardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and thelike, by administering to a patient in need of such treatment aneffective amount of an SCD-modulating, especially inhibiting, agent.

In general, the present invention provides a method for treating apatient for, or protecting a patient from developing, a disease relatedto dyslipidemia and/or a disorder of lipid metabolism, wherein lipidlevels in an animal, especially a human being, are outside the normalrange (i.e., abnormal lipid level, such as elevated plasma lipidlevels), especially levels higher than normal, preferably where saidlipid is a fatty acid, such as a free or complexed fatty acid,triglycerides, phospholipids, or cholesterol, such as whereLDL-cholesterol levels are elevated or HDL-cholesterol levels arereduced, or any combination of these, where said lipid-related conditionor disease is an SCD-mediated disease or condition, comprisingadministering to an animal, such as a mammal, especially a humanpatient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of theinvention or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of theinvention wherein the compound modulates the activity of SCD, preferablyhuman SCD1.

The compounds of the invention modulate, preferably inhibit, theactivity of human SCD enzymes, especially human SCD1.

The general value of the compounds of the invention in modulating,especially inhibiting, the activity of SCD can be determined using theassay described below in Example 5. Alternatively, the general value ofthe compounds in treating disorders and diseases may be established inindustry standard animal models for demonstrating the efficacy ofcompounds in treating obesity, diabetes or elevated triglyceride orcholesterol levels or for improving glucose tolerance. Such modelsinclude Zucker obese fa/fa rats (available from Harlan Sprague Dawley,Inc. (Indianapolis, Ind.)), or the Zucker diabetic fatty rat(ZDF/GmiCrl-fa/fa) (available from Charles River Laboratories (Montréal,Quebec)).

The compounds of the instant invention are inhibitors of delta-9desaturases and are useful for treating diseases and disorders in humansand other organisms, including all those human diseases and disorderswhich are the result of aberrant delta-9 desaturase biological activityor which may be ameliorated by modulation of delta-9 desaturasebiological activity.

As defined herein, an SCD-mediated disease or condition includes but isnot limited to a disease or condition which is, or is related to,cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemias (including but not limited todisorders of serum levels of triglycerides, hypertriglyceridemia, VLDL,HDL, LDL, fatty acid Desaturation Index (e.g. the ratio of 18:1/18:0fatty acids, or other fatty acids, as defined elsewhere herein),cholesterol, and total cholesterol, hypercholesterolemia, as well ascholesterol disorders (including disorders characterized by defectivereverse cholesterol transport), familial combined hyperlipidemia,coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, heart disease, cerebrovasculardisease (including but not limited to stroke, ischemic stroke andtransient ischemic attack (TIA)), peripheral vascular disease, andischemic retinopathy. In a preferred embodiment, compounds of theinvention will, in a patient, increase HDL levels and/or decreasetriglyceride levels and/or decrease LDL or non-HDL-cholesterol levels.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes metabolic syndrome(including but not limited to dyslipidemia, obesity and insulinresistance, hypertension, microalbuminemia, hyperuricaemia, andhypercoaguability), Syndrome X, diabetes, insulin resistance, decreasedglucose tolerance, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Type IIdiabetes, Type I diabetes, diabetic complications, body weight disorders(including but not limited to obesity, overweight, cachexia andanorexia), weight loss, body mass index and leptin related diseases. Ina preferred embodiment, compounds of the invention will be used to treatdiabetes mellitus and obesity.

As used herein, the term “metabolic syndrome” is a recognized clinicalterm used to describe a condition comprising combinations of Type IIdiabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertension,obesity, increased abdominal girth, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL,hyperuricaemia, hypercoaguability and/or microalbuminemia.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes fatty liver, hepaticsteatosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic hepatitis, non-alcoholicsteatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic hepatitis, acute fatty liver, fattyliver of pregnancy, drug-induced hepatitis, erythrohepaticprotoporphyria, iron overload disorders, hereditary hemochromatosis,hepatic fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis, hepatoma and conditions relatedthereto.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes but is not limited toa disease or condition which is, or is related to primaryhypertriglyceridemia, or hypertriglyceridemia secondary to anotherdisorder or disease, such as hyperlipoproteinemias, familial histiocyticreticulosis, lipoprotein lipase deficiency, apolipoprotein deficiency(such as ApoCII deficiency or ApoE deficiency), and the like, orhypertriglyceridemia of unknown or unspecified etiology.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes a disorder ofpolyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) disorder, or a skin disorder,including but not limited to eczema, acne, psoriasis, keloid scarformation or prevention, diseases related to production or secretionsfrom mucous membranes, such as monounsaturated fatty acids, wax esters,and the like.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes inflammation,sinusitis, asthma, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,cystic fibrosis, and pre-menstrual syndrome.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes but is not limited toa disease or condition which is, or is related to cancer, neoplasia,malignancy, metastases, tumours (benign or malignant), carcinogenesis,hepatomas and the like.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes a condition whereincreasing lean body mass or lean muscle mass is desired, such as isdesirable in enhancing performance through muscle building. Myopathiesand lipid myopathies such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency(CPT I or CPT II) are also included herein. Such treatments are usefulin humans and in animal husbandry, including for administration tobovine, porcine or avian domestic animals or any other animal to reducetriglyceride production and/or provide leaner meat products and/orhealthier animals.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes a disease orcondition which is, or is related to, neurological diseases, psychiatricdisorders, multiple sclerosis, eye diseases, and immune disorders.

An SCD-mediated disease or condition also includes a disease orcondition which is, or is related to, viral diseases or infectionsincluding but not limited to all positive strand RNA viruses,coronaviruses, SARS virus, SARS-associated coronavirus, Togaviruses,Picornaviruses, Coxsackievirus, Yellow Fever virus, Flaviviridae,ALPHAVIRUS (TOGAVIRIDAE) including Rubella virus, Eastern equineencephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equineencephalitis virus, Sindbis virus, Semliki forest virus, Chikungunyavirus, O'nyong'nyong virus, Ross river virus, Mayaro virus,Alphaviruses; ASTROVIRIDAE including Astrovirus, Human Astroviruses;CALICIVIRIDAE including Vesicular exanthema of swine virus, Norwalkvirus, Calicivirus, Bovine calicivirus, Pig calcivirus, Hepatitis E;CORONAVIRIDAE including Coronavirus, SARS virus, Avian infectiousbronchitis virus, Bovine coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, Felineinfectious peritonitis virus, Human coronavirus 299E, Human coronavirusOC43, Murine hepatitis virus, Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, Porcinehemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus, Porcine transmissiblegastroenteritis virus, Rat coronavirus, Turkey coronavirus, Rabbitcoronavirus, Berne virus, Breda virus; FLAVIVIRIDAE including HepatitisC virus, West Nile virus, Yellow Fever virus, St. Louis encephalitisvirus, Dengue Group, Hepatitis C virus, Japanese B encephalitis virus,Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Central European tick-borneencephalitis virus, Far Eastern tick-borne encephalitis virus, Kyasa nurforest virus, Louping ill virus, Powassan virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fevervirus, Kumilinge virus, Absetarov anzalova hypr virus, Ilheus virus,Rocio encephalitis virus, Langat virus, Pestivirus, Bovine viraldiarrhea, Hog cholera virus, Rio Bravo Group, Tyuleniy Group, NtayaGroup, Uganda S Group, Modoc Group; PICORNAVIRIDAE including Coxsackie Avirus, Rhinovirus, Hepatitis A virus, Encephalomyocarditis virus,Mengovirus, ME virus, Human poliovirus 1, Coxsackie B; POTYVIRIDAEincluding Potyvirus, Rymovirus, Bymovirus. Additionally it can be adisease or infection caused by or linked to Hepatitis viruses, HepatitisB virus, Hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and thelike. Treatable viral infections include those where the virus employsan RNA intermediate as part of the replicative cycle (hepatitis or HIV);additionally it can be a disease or infection caused by or linked to RNAnegative strand viruses such as influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

The compounds identified in the instant specification inhibit thedesaturation of various fatty acids (such as the C9-C10 desaturation ofstearoyl-CoA) which is accomplished by delta-9 desaturases, such asstearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). As such these compounds inhibit theformation of various fatty acids and downstream metabolites thereof.This may lead to an accumulation of stearoyl-CoA or palmitoyl-CoA andother upstream precursors of various fatty acids; which may possiblyresult in a negative feedback loop causing an overall change in fattyacid metabolism. Any of these consequences may ultimately be responsiblefor the overall therapeutic benefit provided by these compounds.

Typically, a successful SCD inhibitory therapeutic agent will meet someor all of the following criteria. Oral availability should be at orabove 20%. Animal model efficacy is less than about 2 mg/Kg, 1 mg/Kg, or0.5 mg/Kg and the target human dose is between 50 and 250 mg/70 Kg,although doses outside of this range may be acceptable. (“mg/Kg” meansmilligrams of compound per kilogram of body mass of the subject to whomit is being administered). The therapeutic index (or ratio of toxic doseto therapeutic dose) should be greater than 100. The potency (asexpressed by IC₅₀ value) should be less than 10 μM, preferably below 1μM and most preferably below 50 nM. The IC₅₀ (“InhibitoryConcentration—50%”) is a measure of the amount of compound required toachieve 50% inhibition of SCD activity, over a specific time period, inan SCD biological activity assay. Any process for measuring the activityof SCD enzymes, preferably mouse or human SCD enzymes, may be utilizedto assay the activity of the compounds useful in the methods of theinvention in inhibiting said SCD activity. Compounds of the inventiondemonstrate an IC₅₀ in a 15 minute microsomal assay of preferably lessthan 10 μM, less than 5 mM, less than 2.5 μM, less than 1 μM, less than750 nM, less than 500 nM, less than 250 nM, less than 100 nM, less than50 nM, and most preferably less than 20 nM. The compound of theinvention may show reversible inhibition (i.e., competitive inhibition)and preferably does not inhibit other iron binding proteins. Therequired dosage should preferably be no more than about once or twice aday or at meal times.

The identification of compounds of the invention as SCD inhibitors wasreadily accomplished using the SCD enzyme and microsomal assay proceduredescribed in Brownlie et al, supra. When tested in this assay, compoundsof the invention had less than 50% remaining SCD activity at 10 μMconcentration of the test compound, preferably less than 40% remainingSCD activity at 10 μM concentration of the test compound, morepreferably less than 30% remaining SCD activity at 10 μM concentrationof the test compound, and even more preferably less than 200% remainingSCD activity at 10 μM concentration of the test compound, therebydemonstrating that the compounds of the invention are potent inhibitorsof SCD activity.

These results provide the basis for analysis of the structure-activityrelationship (SAR) between test compounds and SCD. Certain R groups tendto provide more potent inhibitory compounds. SAR analysis is one of thetools those skilled in the art may now employ to identify preferredembodiments of the compounds of the invention for use as therapeuticagents.

Other methods of testing the compounds disclosed herein are also readilyavailable to those skilled in the art. Thus, in addition, saidcontacting may be accomplished in vivo. In one such embodiment, saidcontacting in step (a) is accomplished by administering said chemicalagent to an animal afflicted with a triglyceride (TG)- or very lowdensity lipoprotein (VLDL)-related disorder and subsequently detecting achange in plasma triglyceride level in said animal thereby identifying atherapeutic agent useful in treating a triglyceride (TG)- or very lowdensity lipoprotein (VLDL)-related disorder. In such embodiment, theanimal may be a human, such as a human patient afflicted with such adisorder and in need of treatment of said disorder.

In specific embodiments of such in vivo processes, said change in SCD1activity in said animal is a decrease in activity, preferably whereinsaid SCD1 modulating agent does not substantially inhibit the biologicalactivity of a delta-5 desaturase, delta-6 desaturase or fatty acidsynthetase.

The model systems useful for compound evaluation may include, but arenot limited to, the use of liver microsomes, such as from mice that havebeen maintained on a high carbohydrate diet, or from human donors,including persons suffering from obesity. Immortalized cell lines, suchas HepG2 (from human liver), MCF-7 (from human breast cancer) and 3T3-L1(from mouse adipocytes) may also be used. Primary cell lines, such asmouse primary hepatocytes, are also useful in testing the compounds ofthe invention. Where whole animals are used, mice used as a source ofprimary hepatocyte cells may also be used wherein the mice have beenmaintained on a high carbohydrate diet to increase SCD activity inmicrosomes and/or to elevate plasma triglyceride levels (i.e., the18:1/18:0 ratio); alternatively mice on a normal diet or mice withnormal triglyceride levels may be used. Mouse models employingtransgenic mice designed for hypertriglyceridemia are also available asis the mouse phenome database. Rabbits and hamsters are also useful asanimal models, especially those expressing CETP (cholesteryl estertransfer protein).

Another suitable method for determining the in vivo efficacy of thecompounds of the invention is to indirectly measure their impact oninhibition of SCD enzyme by measuring a subject's Desaturation Indexafter administration of the compound. “Desaturation Index” as employedin this specification means the ratio of the product over the substratefor the SCD enzyme as measured from a given tissue sample. This may becalculated using three different equations 18:1n-9/18:0 (oleic acid overstearic acid); 16:1n-7/16:0 (palmitoleic acid over palmitic acid);and/or 16:1n-7+18:1n-7/16:0 (measuring all reaction products of 16:0desaturation over 16:0 substrate). Desaturation Index is primarilymeasured in liver or plasma triglycerides, but may also be measured inother selected lipid fractions from a variety of tissues. DesaturationIndex, generally speaking, is a tool for plasma lipid profiling.

A number of human diseases and disorders are the result of aberrant SCD1biological activity and may be ameliorated by modulation of SCD1biological activity using the therapeutic agents of the invention.

Inhibition of SCD expression may also affect the fatty acid compositionof membrane phospholipids, as well as production or levels oftriglycerides and cholesterol esters. The fatty acid composition ofphospholipids ultimately determines membrane fluidity, while the effectson the composition of triglycerides and cholesterol esters can affectlipoprotein metabolism and adiposity.

In carrying out the procedures of the present invention it is of courseto be understood that reference to particular buffers, media, reagents,cells, culture conditions and the like are not intended to be limiting,but are to be read so as to include all related materials that one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize as being of interest or valuein the particular context in which that discussion is presented. Forexample, it is often possible to substitute one buffer system or culturemedium for another and still achieve similar, if not identical, results.Those of skill in the art will have sufficient knowledge of such systemsand methodologies so as to be able, without undue experimentation, tomake such substitutions as will optimally serve their purposes in usingthe methods and procedures disclosed herein.

Pharmaceutical Compositions of the Invention and Administration

The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositioncontaining the compounds of the invention disclosed herein. In oneembodiment, the present invention relates to a composition comprisingcompounds of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier andin an amount effective to modulate triglyceride level or to treatdiseases related to dyslipidemia and disorders of lipid metabolism, whenadministered to an animal, preferably a mammal, most preferably a humanpatient. In an embodiment of such composition, the patient has anelevated lipid level, such as elevated triglycerides or cholesterol,before administration of said compound of the invention and the compoundof the invention is present in an amount effective to reduce said lipidlevel.

The pharmaceutical compositions useful herein also contain apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, including any suitable diluent orexcipient, which includes any pharmaceutical agent that does not itselfinduce the production of antibodies harmful to the individual receivingthe composition, and which may be administered without undue toxicity.Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to,liquids, such as water, saline, glycerol and ethanol, and the like. Athorough discussion of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents,and other excipients is presented in REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES(Mack Pub. Co., N.J. current edition).

Those skilled in the art know how to determine suitable doses of thecompounds for use in treating the diseases and disorders contemplatedherein. Therapeutic doses are generally identified through a doseranging study in humans based on preliminary evidence derived fromanimal studies. Doses must be sufficient to result in a desiredtherapeutic benefit without causing unwanted side-effects for thepatient. The preferred dosage range for an animal is 0.001 mg/Kg to10,000 mg/Kg, including 0.5 mg/Kg, 1.0 mg/Kg and 2.0 mg/Kg, though dosesoutside this range may be acceptable. The dosing schedule may be once ortwice per day, although more often or less often may be satisfactory.

Those skilled in the art are also familiar with determiningadministration methods (oral, intravenous, inhalation, sub-cutaneous,etc.), dosage forms, suitable pharmaceutical excipients and othermatters relevant to the delivery of the compounds to a subject in needthereof.

In an alternative use of the invention, the compounds of the inventioncan be used in in vitro or in vivo studies as exemplary agents forcomparative purposes to find other compounds also useful in treatmentof, or protection from, the various diseases disclosed herein.

Preparation of the Compounds of the Invention

It is understood that in the following description, combinations ofsubstituents and/or variables of the depicted formulae are permissibleonly if such contributions result in stable compounds.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in theprocess described below the functional groups of intermediate compoundsmay need to be protected by suitable protecting groups. Such functionalgroups include hydroxy, amino, mercapto and carboxylic acid. Suitableprotecting groups for hydroxy include trialkylsilyl or diarylalkylsilyl(e.g., t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl or trimethylsilyl),tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups foramino, amidino and guanidino include t-butoxycarbonyl,benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for mercaptoinclude —C(O)—R″ (where R″ is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl),p-methoxybenzyl, trityl and the like. Suitable protecting groups forcarboxylic acid include alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl esters.

Protecting groups may be added or removed in accordance with standardtechniques, which are well-known to those skilled in the art and asdescribed herein.

The use of protecting groups is described in detail in Green, T. W. andP. G. M. Wutz, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed.,Wiley. The protecting group may also be a polymer resin such as a Wangresin or a 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, although suchprotected derivatives of compounds of this invention may not possesspharmacological activity as such, they may be administered to a mammaland thereafter metabolized in the body to form compounds of theinvention which are pharmacologically active. Such derivatives maytherefore be described as “prodrugs”. All prodrugs of compounds of thisinvention are included within the scope of the invention.

The following Reaction Schemes illustrate methods to make compounds ofthis invention. It is understood that one of those skilled in the artwould be able to make these compounds by similar methods or by methodsknown to one skilled in the art. In general, starting components may beobtained from sources such as Sigma Aldrich, Lancaster Synthesis, Inc.,Maybridge, Matrix Scientific, TCI, and Fluorochem USA, etc. orsynthesized according to sources known to those skilled in the art (see,e.g., Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure,5th edition (Wiley, December 2000)) or prepared as described in thisinvention. R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸,R^(8a) and V are defined as in the Specification unless specificallydefined otherwise. PG represents a protecting group such as BOC, benzylgroup and the like.

In addition, methods similar to those disclosed in the following patentsand patent applications may be used by one skilled in the art to preparethe compounds of the invention:

Publication Jurisdiction Number Kind US 2004097492 A1 US 2004087577 A1US 2004162285 A1 WO 2004041818 A1 WO 2004022559 A1 WO 2003092678 A1 WO2003076430 A1 WO 2003076422 A1 WO 2003076400 A1 US 2003166932 A1 WO2003016306 A1 WO 2001070668 A1 WO 2001064646 A1 WO 2001022938 A1 WO2000071536 A1 US 6127382 A WO 2001012606 A1 WO 9633251 A1 US 5702637 AJP 06073022 A2 WO 9318016 A1 WO 9313078 A1

In general, the compounds of formula (I) of this invention where G is—C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—, W is —N(R¹)C(O)—, L and M are both —N═, Q is —N(H)—, J isC(H), K is N and V is —C(O)— can be synthesized following the generalprocedure as described in Reaction Scheme 1.

The starting materials for the above reaction scheme are commerciallyavailable or can be prepared according to methods known to one skilledin the art or by methods disclosed herein. In general, the compounds ofthe invention are prepared in the above reaction scheme as follows:

The methylpyridazine compound 101 can be oxidized to produce acarboxylic acid 102 by using an oxidant such as, but not limited to,potassium dichromate in an acid such as, but not limited to,concentrated sulfuric acid. Amide 103 can be formed from carboxylic acid102 by reaction with an appropriate amine in the presence of a base suchas, but not limited to, diisopropylethylamine,1-hydroxyl-1H-benzotriazole and1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide in a solvent such as, butnot limited to, dichloromethane. Alternatively, amide 103 can beprepared by reaction of the acyl chloride derivative of 102 with anappropriate amine. The reaction can be performed in the presence of abase such as, but not limited to, diisopropylethylamine in a solventsuch as, but not limited to, dichloromethane. Reaction of thechloropyridazine compound 103 with the amino compound 104 in a refluxingsolvent such as, but not limited to, 1,4-dioxane in the presence of1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene and catalytic amount oftetra-n-butylammonium bromide gives compound 105. The protecting group,generally being a t-butyloxycarbonyl group, in compound 105 can beremoved to give the desired product 106 by using acidic conditions asdescribed in Green, T. W. and P. G. M. Wutz, Protective Groups inOrganic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed., Wiley. The final product 107 can beobtained by reacting compound 106 with an acyl chloride in the presenceof a base such as, but not limited to, triethylamine in a solvent suchas, but not limited to, dichloromethane.

Although anyone skilled in the art is capable of preparing the compoundsof the invention according to the general techniques disclosed above,more specific details on synthetic techniques for compounds of theinvention are provided elsewhere in this specification for convenience.Again, all reagents and reaction conditions employed in synthesis areknown to those skilled in the art and are available from ordinarycommercial sources.

Preparation 1 Synthesis of 6-CHLOROPYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXYLIC ACID(2-CYCLOPROPYL-ETHYL)AMIDE

A. To a mechanically stirred solution of 3-chloro-6-methylpyridazine(155.6 mmol) in 140 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid, finely powderedpotassium dichromate (55.40 g) was added slowly, the temperature beingkept below 50° C. When the addition was complete, stirring was continuedfor another 4 hours at 50° C. The viscous, dark green liquid was thencooled and crushed ice was added cautiously. The reaction mixture wasextracted with ethyl acetate (6×400 mL). The ethyl acetate extracts werecombined, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The solvent was concentrated invacuo to yield slightly red colored 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid(106.6 mmol). This material was used for next reaction without furtherpurification. Yield 69%. m.p. 145° C. (dec). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ13.1, 8.20, 8.05.

B. To a solution of 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid (15.8 mmol) indichloromethane (95 mL) was added diisopropylethylamine (46.7 mmol),1-hydroxybenzotriazole monohydrate (23.7 mmol) and1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (23.7 mmol) under nitrogenatmosphere at ambient temperature. The resulting mixture was stirred for15 minutes and 2-cyclopropylethylamine (20.2 mmol) was added. Afterstirring for 36 hours at ambient temperature, the reaction mixture wasdiluted with dichloromethane (100 mL), then washed with water and driedover anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed in vacuo. Purificationvia column chromatography (30% ethyl acetate in hexanes) afforded thetitle compound (8.70 mmol). Yield 55%.

Preparation 2 Synthesis of 6-CHLOROPYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXYLIC ACIDPENTYLAMIDE

To a mixture of 6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridazine-3-carboxylic acidmonohydrate (3.50 g, 22.1 mmol) in chloroform (110 mL) was added thionylchloride (8.1 mL, 110 mmol) then catalytic amount of DMF (0.6 mL). Thereaction mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours during this timereaction mixture turn to dark green. After cooling the solvent wasremoved in vacuo. The crude material was dried under high vacuum for 30minutes. The residue dissolved in dichloromethane (110 mL) was addeddropwise to a solution of amyl amine (3.84 mL, 33.1 mmol) andtriethylamine (5.60 mL, 40.2 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The organic layer was washedwith water, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crudematerial was purified by column chromatography eluting with ethylacetate:hexane (4:1) to obtain 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acidmethylpentyl amide (4.8 g, 99%). M.p. 98-101° C. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 8.28 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (s, br., 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H),3.51 (q, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 1.69-1.63 (m, 2H), 0.90 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 3H). ¹³CNMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 161.5, 158.9, 151.8, 129.4, 128.1, 39.8, 29.1,29.1, 22.4, 14.0. MS (ES+) m/z 228 (M+1).

The syntheses of compounds of this invention are illustrated by, but notlimited to the following examples.

Example 1 Synthesis of6-[1-(2-TRIFLUOROMETHYLBENZOYL)PYRROLIDIN-3-YLAMINO]-PYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXYLICACID (2-CYCLOPROPYLETHYL)AMIDE

A. A mixture of 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid(2-cyclopropylethyl)amide (0.400 g, 1.77 mmol), 1-Boc-3-aminopyrrolidine(0.400 g, 2.1 mmol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.120 g, 0.36 mmol) and1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (1.000 g, 6.00 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane(30 mL) was heated under reflux overnight. A catalytic amount of sodiumiodide was added and the heating was continued for 16 hours. The solventwas removed in vacuo and the residue was washed with 1 M citric acid (50mL) and ethyl ether (50 mL) was added. Ultrasonication of the mixturefollowed by filtration afforded3-[6-(2-cyclopropylethyl-carbamoyl)pyridazin-3-ylamino]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester as a white solid in 81% yield (0.539 g) which wasused for next step reaction without further purification.

B.3-[6-(2-Cyclopropylethylcarbamoyl)pyridazin-3-ylamino]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester was treated with trifluoroacetic acid indichloromethane (15 mL). The isolated6-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid(2-cyclopropylethyl)-amide (0.053 g, 0.19 mmol) was dissolved indichloromethane (10 mL) and then 2-trifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride(0.040 g, 0.19 mmol) was added at ambient temperature in the presence oftriethylamine (0.2 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperaturefor 15 minutes. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purifiedby column chromatography. The title compound was obtained as a whitepowder in 54% yield (0.046 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.01 (d, J=10.0Hz, 1H), 7.7 (m, 2H), 7.6 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 6.7 (d, J=10.0Hz, 1H), 6.2 (m, 1H), 4.8 (m, 1H), 3.9-3.60 (m, 2H), 3.5-3.4 (m, 2H),2.4 (m, 1H), 2.2 (m, 1H), 1.4 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 0.7 (m, 1H), 0.4 (m,2H), 0.07 (m, 2H). MS (ES+) m/z 448.1 (M+1).

Example 2 Synthesis of6-[1-(2-TRIFLUOROMETHYLBENZOYL)AZETIDIN-3-YLAMINO]PYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXYLICACID (2-CYCLOPROPYLETHYL)AMIDE

A. A mixture of 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid(2-cyclopropylethyl)amide (0.350 g, 1.55 mmol), 1-BOC-3-aminoazetidine(0.400 g, 2.32 mmol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.120 g, 0.36 mmol)and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (1.000 g, 6.00 mmol) in1,4-dioxane (30 mL) was heated under reflux overnight. The solvent wasevaporated. The residue was washed with 1 M citric acid (50 mL) andethyl ether (50 mL) was added. Ultrasonication of the mixture followedby filtration afforded3-[6-(2-cyclopropylethylcarbamoyl)pyridazin-3-ylamino]azetidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester as a white solid in 43% yield (0.240 g).

B.3-[6-(2-Cyclopropylethylcarbamoyl)pyridazin-3-ylamino]azetidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester dissolved in dichloromethane (15 mL) was treatedwith trifluoroacetic acid. The isolated6-(azetidin-3-ylamino)pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid(2-cyclopropylethyl)amide (0.026 g, 0.100 mmol) was dissolved indichloromethane (8 mL) and then 2-trifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride (0.022g, 0.110 mmol) was added at ambient temperature in the presence oftriethylamine (0.2 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperaturefor 15 minutes. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purifiedby column chromatography. The title compound was obtained as a whitesolid in 57% yield (0.0246 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) (8.0 (d, J=9.0Hz, 1H), 7.9 (br., t, 1H), 7.7 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.6-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.4(d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 6.8 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 5.7 (br., s, 1H), 4.8 (m, 1H),4.6 (m, 1H), 4.3 (m, 1H), 4.15 (m, 1H), 3.75 (m, 1H), 3.5 (q, J=7.0 Hz,2H), 1.5 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 0.7 (m, 1H), 0.4 (m, 2H), 0.06 (m, 2H). MS(ES+) m/z 434 (M+1).

Example 3 Synthesis of6-(1-BENZYLPIPERIDIN-4-YLAMINO)PYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXYLIC ACID PENTYLAMIDE

To a mixture of 4-aminobenzylpiperidine (0.460 g, 2.42 mmol),6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pentylamide (0.500 g, 2.20 mmol)and tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.071 g, 10 mole %) in DMF (5 mL) wasadded 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (0.66 mL, 4.40 mmol). The brownreaction mixture was heated at 80° C. for 24 hours. The reaction mixturewas cooled to room temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL),washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated. Thecrude material was subjected to column chromatography to afford thetitle compound as a brown solid in 27% yield (0.238 g). ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 7.92 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.31-7.20 (m,6H), 6.65 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 4.91 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (m, 1H), 3.51(s, 2H), 3.42 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.86 (m, 2H), 2.21-2.06 (m, 4H),1.64-1.54 (m, 4H), 1.37-1.28 (m, 4H), 0.91-0.85 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (75MHz, CDCl₃) δ 163.3, 159.1, 145.2, 138.3, 129.1, 128.3, 127.1, 126.8,113.7, 63.1, 52.2, 48.8, 39.4, 32.2, 29.3, 29.1, 22.4, 14.0. MS (ES+)m/z 380 (M+1).

Example 4 Synthesis of6-(1-BENZYL-PIPERIDIN-4-YLOXY)PYRIDAZINE-3-CARBOXYLIC ACID PENTYLAMIDE

To a mixture of 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pentylamide (0.530g, 2.33 mmol) and 1-benzylpiperidin-4-ol (0.399 g, 2.33 mmol) in dioxane(20 mL) was added KO^(t)Bu (0.288 g, 2.56 mmol). The colourless reactionmixture turned to bright red upon the addition of KOtBu. The reactionmixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, then concentratedin vacuo. The residue was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with water,dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude material waspurified by column chromatography to afford the title compound in 28%yield (0.100 g). The solid material was triturated with ether give 22.7mg of product as a colourless solid. M.p. 127-130° C. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 8.15 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (m, 5H),7.02 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (septet, J=4.5 Hz, 1H), 3.51 (s, 2H), 3.44(q, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.79-2.73 (m, 2H), 2.35-2.27 (m, 2H), 2.15-2.09 (m,2H), 1.93-1.83 (m, 2H), 1.62-1.54 (m, 2H), 1.36-1.29 (m, 4H), 0.89-0.85(m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 165.9, 162.5, 148.6, 138.4, 129.6,129.1, 128.7, 128.3, 127.1, 118.6, 73.8, 62.9, 50.8, 39.5, 30.8, 29.2,29.1, 22.4, 14.0. MS (ES+) m/z 363 (M+1).

Example 5 Measuring Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Inhibition Activity of aTest Compound Using Mouse Liver Microsomes

The identification of compounds of the invention as SCD inhibitors wasreadily accomplished using the SCD enzymes and microsomal assayprocedure described in Brownlie et al, PCT published patent application,WO 01/62954.

Preparation of Mouse Liver Microsomes:

Male ICR mice, on a high-carbohydrate, low fat diet, under lighthalothane (15% in mineral oil) anesthesia are sacrificed byexsanguination during periods of high enzyme activity. Livers areimmediately rinsed with cold 0.9% NaCl solution, weighed and minced withscissors. All procedures are performed at 4° C. unless specifiedotherwise. Livers are homogenized in a solution (1:3 w/v) containing0.25 M sucrose, 62 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 0.15 M KCl,1.5 mM N-acetylcysteine, 5 mM MgCl₂, and 0.1 mM EDTA using 4 strokes ofa Potter-Elvehjem tissue homogenizer. The homogenate is centrifuged at10,400×g for 20 min to eliminate mitochondria and cellular debris. Thesupernatant is filtered through a 3-layer cheesecloth and centrifuged at105,000×g for 60 min. The microsomal pellet is gently resuspended in thesame homogenization solution with a small glass/teflon homogenizer andstored at −70° C. The absence of mitochondrial contamination isenzymatically assessed. The protein concentration is measured usingbovine serum albumin as the standard.

Incubation of Mouse Liver Microsomes with Test Compounds:

Reactions are started by adding 2 mg of microsomal protein topre-incubated tubes containing 0.20 μCi of the substrate fatty acid(1-¹⁴C palmitic acid) at a final concentration of 33.3 μM in 1.5 ml ofhomogenization solution, containing 42 mM NaF, 0.33 mM niacinamide, 1.6mM ATP, 1.0 mM NADH, 0.1 mM coenzyme A and a 10 μM concentration of testcompound. The tubes are vortexed vigorously and after 15 min incubationin a shaking water bath (37° C.), the reactions are stopped and fattyacids are analyzed.

Fatty acids are analyzed as follows: The reaction mixture is saponifiedwith 10% KOH to obtain free fatty acids which are further methylatedusing BF₃ in methanol. The fatty acid methyl esters are analyzed by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Hewlett Packard 1090,Series II chromatograph equipped with a diode array detector set at 205nm, a radioisotope detector (Model 171, Beckman, Calif.) with a solidscintillation cartridge (97% efficiency for ¹⁴C-detection) and areverse-phase ODS (C-18) Beckman column (250 mm×4.6 mm i.d.; 5 μmparticle size) attached to a pre-column with a μBondapak C-18 (Beckman)insert. Fatty acid methyl esters are separated isocratically withacetonitrile/water (95:5 v:v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and areidentified by comparison with authentic standards. Alternatively, fattyacid methyl esters may be analyzed by capillary columngas-chromatography (GC) or Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).

Those skilled in the art are aware of a variety of modifications to thisassay that can be useful for measuring inhibition of stearoyl-CoAdesaturase activity in microsomes by test compounds.

Representative compounds of the invention showed activity as inhibitorsof SCD when tested in this assay. The activity was defined in terms of %SCD enzyme activity remaining at the desired concentration of the testcompound.

All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S.patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications andnon-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listedin the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, intheir entirety.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein: x and y are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; G is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(R⁴)═ or —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; J and K areeach independently N or C(R¹⁰); L and M are each independent —N═; Q is—N(R⁴)—, —O—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —C(S)—, analkylene chain or an alkenylene chain; V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—,—N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)—(where t is 0, 1 or 2) or —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or 2); W is adirect bond, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—,—O—, —N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (wherep is 1 or 2), —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (where p is 1 or 2), —C(O)—,—OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—; each R¹ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl andC₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl,C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl,C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; or R² is a multi-ringstructure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings are independentlyselected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl andheteroaryl and where some or all of the rings may be fused to eachother; R³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl,C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl,C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; or R³ is a multi-ringstructure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings are independentlyselected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl andheteroaryl and where some or all of the rings may be fused to eachother; each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or —N(R⁹)₂; or twoadjacent R⁴ groups, together with the carbons to which they areattached, may form an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring system; R⁵,R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are each independentlyselected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or R⁵ and R^(5a) together, or R⁶and R^(6a) together, or R⁷ and R^(7a) together, or R⁸ and R^(8a)together are an oxo group, provided that when V is —C(O)—, R⁶ and R^(6a)together or R⁸ and R^(8a) together do not form an oxo group, while theremaining R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are eachindependently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or one of R⁵,R^(5a), R⁶ and R^(6a) together with one of R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)forms a direct bond or an alkylene bridge, while the remaining R⁵,R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸, and R^(8a) are each independentlyselected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected fromhydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy; as astereoisomer, enantiomer or tautomer thereof, as a mixture ofstereoisomers, as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. Thecompound of claim 1 wherein Q is —N(H)—, J is C(R¹⁰) and K is N, i.e., acompound having the following formula (Ia):


3. The compound of claim 2 wherein: x and y are each independently 0 or1; G is —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; L and M are each —N═; V is a direct bond,—N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2) or —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or2); W is a direct bond, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—,—N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, —O—, —N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2),—N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2), —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (where p is 1 or2), —C(O)—, —OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—;each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl andC₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl,C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl,C₁-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl,C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; R³ is selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl,C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₁-C₁₉aralkyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl andC₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen,fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or—N(R⁹)₂; R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are eachindependently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ isindependently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ isindependently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₇alkyl orC₁-C₁₂alkoxy.
 4. The compound of claim 3 where V is a direct bond or—C(O)—.
 5. The compound of claim 4 selected from the group consisting ofthe following:6-[1-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoyl)-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino]-pyridazine-3-carboxylicacid (2-cyclopropyl-ethyl)-amide;6-[1-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoyl)-azetidin-3-ylamino]-pyridazine-3-carboxylicacid (2-cyclopropyl-ethyl)-amide; and6-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-ylamino)pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pentylamide.6. The compound of claim 1 wherein: x and y are each independently 0 or1; G is —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; J is C(R¹⁰) and K is N; L and M are each —N═; Qis —O—; V is a direct bond or —C(O)—; W is —N(R¹)C(O)—; R¹ is hydrogen,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl or C₇-C₁₉aralkyl;R² is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl,C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, andC₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; R³ is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl;each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or —N(R⁹)₂; R⁵,R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are each independentlyselected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected fromhydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy.
 7. The compoundof claim 6 which is6-(1-Benzyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid pentylamide.8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient or carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of acompound of formula (I):

wherein: x and y are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; G is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(R⁴)═ or —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; J and K areeach independently N or C(R¹⁰); L and M are each —N═; Q is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —C(S)—, an alkylene chain oran alkenylene chain; V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2)or —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or 2); W is a direct bond,—N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, —O—, —N(R¹)—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2),—S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (where p is 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—,—C(O)O—, —N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—; each R¹ is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl and C₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; orR² is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings areindependently selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or all of the rings maybe fused to each other; R³ is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; orR³ is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings areindependently selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or all of the rings maybe fused to each other; each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen,fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or—N(R⁹)₂; or two adjacent R⁴ groups, together with the carbons to whichthey are attached, may form an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ringsystem; R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are eachindependently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or R⁵ and R^(5a)together, or R⁶ and R^(6a) together, or R⁷ and R^(7a) together, or R⁸and R^(8a) together are an oxo group, provided that when V is —C(O)—, R⁶and R^(6a) together or R⁸ and R^(8a) together do not form an oxo group,while the remaining R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)are each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or one ofR⁵, R^(5a), R⁶ and R^(6a) together with one of R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)forms a direct bond or an alkylene bridge, while the remaining R⁵,R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸, and R^(8a) are each independentlyselected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected fromhydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy; as astereoisomer, enantiomer or tautomer thereof, as a mixture ofstereoisomers, or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. Amethod of inhibiting human stearoyl-CoA desaturase (hSCD) activitycomprising contacting a source of hSCD with a compound of formula (I):

wherein: x and y are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; G is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(R⁴)═ or —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; J and K areeach independently N or C(R¹⁰); L and M are each —N═; Q is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t) (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —C(S)—, an alkylene chain oran alkenylene chain; V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2)or —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or 2); W is a direct bond,—N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, —O—, —N(R¹)—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2),—S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (where p is 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—,—C(O)O—, —N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—; each R¹ is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl and C₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; orR² is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings areindependently selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or all of the rings maybe fused to each other; R³ is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkenyl, C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; orR³ is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings areindependently selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or all of the rings maybe fused to each other; each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen,fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or—N(R⁹)₂; or two adjacent R⁴ groups, together with the carbons to whichthey are attached, may form an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ringsystem; R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are eachindependently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or R⁵ and R^(5a)together, or R⁶ and R^(6a) together, or R⁷ and R^(7a) together, or R⁸and R^(8a) together are an oxo group, provided that when V is —C(O)—, R⁶and R^(6a) together or R⁸ and R^(8a) together do not form an oxo group,while the remaining R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)are each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or one ofR⁵, R^(5a), R⁶ and R^(6a) together with one of R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)forms a direct bond or an alkylene R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸,and R^(8a) bridge, while the remaining R⁵, are each independentlyselected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected fromhydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy; as astereoisomer, enantiomer or tautomer thereof, as a mixture ofstereoisomers, or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. Amethod of treating a disease or condition mediated by stearoyl-CoAdesaturase (SCD) in a mammal, wherein the method comprises administeringto the mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of acompound of formula (I):

wherein: x and y are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; G is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(R⁴)═ or —C(R⁴)═C(R⁴)—; J and K areeach independently N or C(R¹⁰); L and M are each —N═; Q is —N(R⁴)—, —O—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —C(S)—, an alkylene chain oran alkenylene chain; V is a direct bond, —N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)—, —O—,—C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2)or —S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (wherein p is 1 or 2); W is a direct bond,—N(R¹)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R¹)—, —OC(O)N(R¹)—, —N(R¹)C(O)N(R¹)—, —O—, —N(R¹)—,—S(O)_(t)— (where t is 0, 1 or 2), —N(R¹)S(O)_(p)— (where p is 1 or 2),—S(O)_(p)N(R¹)— (where p is 1 or 2), —C(O)—, —OS(O)₂N(R¹)—, —OC(O)—,—C(O)O—, —N(R¹)C(O)O— or —C(R¹)₂—; each R¹ is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl and C₇-C₁₉aralkyl; R² is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl, and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; orR² is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings areindependently selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or all of the rings maybe fused to each other; R³ is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl,C₂-C₁₂hydroxyalkenyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxyalkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₄-C₁₂cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C₇-C₁₉aralkyl, C₃-C₁₂heterocyclyl,C₃-C₁₂heterocyclylalkyl, C₁-C₁₂heteroaryl and C₃-C₁₂heteroarylalkyl; orR³ is a multi-ring structure having 2 to 4 rings wherein the rings areindependently selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl and where some or all of the rings maybe fused to each other; each R⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen,fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro or—N(R⁹)₂; or two adjacent R⁴ groups, together with the carbons to whichthey are attached, may form an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ringsystem; R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a) are eachindependently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or R⁵ and R^(5a)together, or R⁶ and R^(6a) together, or R⁷ and R^(7a) together, or R⁸and R^(8a) together are an oxo group, provided that when V is —C(O)—, R⁶and R^(6a) together or R⁸ and R^(8a) together do not form an oxo group,while the remaining R⁵, R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)are each independently selected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; or one ofR⁵, R^(5a), R⁶ and R^(6a) together with one of R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸ and R^(8a)forms a direct bond or an alkylene bridge, while the remaining R⁵,R^(5a), R⁶, R^(6a), R⁷, R^(7a), R⁸, and R^(8a) are each independentlyselected from hydrogen or C₁-C₃alkyl; each R⁹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; and R¹⁰ is independently selected fromhydrogen, fluoro, chloro, C₁-C₁₂alkyl or C₁-C₁₂alkoxy; as astereoisomer, enantiomer or tautomer thereof, as a mixture ofstereoisomers, or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; andwherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consistingof Type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance,obesity, acne, fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, dyslipidemiaand metabolic syndrome and any combination of these.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the mammal is a human.
 12. The method of claim 11wherein the disease or condition is Type II diabetes.
 13. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the disease or condition is obesity.
 14. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the disease or condition is metabolic syndrome.
 15. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the disease or condition is fatty liver. 16.The method of claim 11 wherein the disease or condition is non-alcoholicsteatohepatitis.